IOW weekend day 2

The weather forecast for Sunday has not been good.  I wake at 5am and listen to the lashing rain.  I check the weather forecast and watch as a monstrous rain cloud slowly moves across the map.  Our day is completely dependent on how quickly the storm passes over us.

We're not in a hurry to set off, so we meet for breakfast at 8.30, when we ask for the menu the waiter barks at us - Full English.  So it's Full English all round then.

Amazingly, after breakfast, we retrieve the bikes and find the storm has passed, the skies are clearing and the weather looks set fair!

Stuart is carrying ALL the luggage, but somehow I am still not keeping up on the hills.  I may have conquered a long distance challenge this year, but looks like I have to set myself a climbing challenge!

At the top of the first climb of the day, we stop for a group photo.  Unfortunately, the gentleman who kindly agreed to take the photo had his finger over the lens and didn't get everyone in shot, so instead here is a pano snap of me and Stuart!

The weather turns completely around from the original forecast and we now have beautiful blue skies to accompany us on our ride though the pretty lanes.

As beautiful as the lanes are, there is a lot of climbing.  We climbed more than 5,000 ft over the weekend, and although that is not much more than we would average for the same distance in Hertfordshire the hills are significantly steeper, with quite a few 10 - 11% gradients!

First (and fortunately only) puncture of the trip, is on Unnur's bike.  Steve attempts a roadside repair, but this is swiftly abandoned and the group heads into Bembridge to continue the repair effort.

It's probably fair to say the people making the effort to repair the puncture do not appear in this picture.

Cycling round the IOW is a great trip, and very well signposted, but all appreciated  that Steve and Michelle know the area so well and were brilliant tour guides.

We arrive back at East Cowes just in time to catch the 3.30 ferry back and here Michelle is looking very happy to be most improved rider from the Costa Rica trip!

As we say farewell in the car park a beautiful rainbow appears. (Steve is probably off photographing a bus somewhere).

The rainbow is a reflection of the fantastic sunny day we had, juxtaposed against the torrential rain that is about to turn up.

Stuart and I were lucky to be in the car when the storm hit.  Unfortunately, Unnur and Steve were riding the mountain bikes back to the final destination, I'm hoping they didn't get too wet!!

A 72 mile trip, well worth doing, and definitely include the Needles and Alum Bay (the detour on the west point of the island).  This was a particular highlight!

IOW weekend - day 1

We're back to the Isle of Wight for the weekend with friends that we met in Costa Rica last February, Michelle & Steve and Unnur & Sveinn from Iceland.

The weather is grey and drizzly, but we are undaunted as we wait to catch the ferry.

We study the map and plan an anti clockwise trip to make sure we get to see Alum Bay and the Needles on the Saturday as the forecast is much better than Sunday's weather forecast.

After catching the big ferry from Southampton to Cowes, we then catch a little chain ferry.  Stuart is carrying two panniers on his bike with both his luggage and mine.  I'm hoping that this means I will be able to keep up with him on the hills!

Shortly after we set off the sun comes out, the temperature warms up considerably and there is an emergency stop to remove layers.

When we get to Yarmouth we head down a disused rail track and stop for lunch at an old railway station that has been converted into a delightful restaurant.

More layers are removed, it really is a lovely day!

Today is an easy day's cycling so plenty of time to stop and take photos!

The colour of the sea is amazing, and this pic was taken on my iPhone so no use of superviv!

I think this is my favourite photo of the day, quite a moody shot, taken as we are trying to find the best viewing spot for the Needles.

Eventually, we get to a great viewing spot, discovered by Stuart. 

It's at this viewing spot that my second favourite photo of the day is taken!

Walking back from the Needles we have a fabulous view of Alum bay

And in the gorgeous afternoon light the colours of all the different sandstones are easy to see in the cliff face

Unfortunately, after our lovely sunny sojourn to the Needles the rain that was forecast for 4pm turns up early, and rain jackets are needed again.  We get fairly comprehensively lashed with rain for the last hour of our bike ride.

Luckily, the Mouse Inn guest house where we stay has a great restaurant, so we don't need to venture out again for an evening meal.  Steve lives up to his nickname of the Biffa, with no food being left to waste.

After dinner Sveinn tries to explain cold fusion technology to us, which is the area in which he works and lectures around the world.

After he has explained the basics to us, I can't help wondering if that volcanic eruption in Iceland, which grounded the world's flights, was in fact Sveinn experimenting in his garden shed!

A special ride

5th October 2011 was the darkest of dark days, but 5th October 2016 life is brighter, life is special and time to celebrate with a glorious ride around the countryside.  Beautiful quiet country lanes and a delightful new teashop. 

Great day out!

Fun with Edinburgh chums

There are a few folks from Edinburgh that Stuart has been cycling with for many years.  Sally (best man at the wedding), Richard & Jacky, John & Sarah and Chris & Mary. Recently, we have been on cycling holidays with the chums in Canada and France, this year they have decided to head to the South of England to cycle around our home turf!

I suspect the reason for the "down south" visit may be the Birthday Ceilidh bash that Stuart and I held in our local village hall.  And here is a gratuitous photo of the event, which has nothing to do with cycling, but I'd like to keep this picture here as a lovely reminder of a fantastic night.

Cycling for Stuart and the Edinburgh chums started on the Monday, sadly I was at work, so photographic evidence of the first couple of days is missing.  However, Stuart took them on a ride to Potton End on day 1 and Emily's on day 2.

Wednesday was a day for them to explore other touristy bits round here Oxford and Bletchley park.

Finally, Thursday and I have some time off work!  Hurrah!

The weather forecast is good for the next couple of days which is a huge bonus when taking precious days holiday.

Here's the gang at the first stop of the day, Frithsden Vineyard

The fresh out of the oven blueberry scones were a big hit!  But is it jam first or cream?  (Jam obvs).

Next stop Dunstable downs for the views and a bit of lunch.

Finally, we start meandering our way back to Ivinghoe, and this is where things change from our normal cycling regime.  It's getting late in the afternoon and the school traffic starts to build, instead of sticking with the now fairly busy roads, the OS maps are brought out and a new route is plotted down a delightful canal tow path.  Less roady, more touringy.  Love it!

We arrive back at the farmhouse where the Edinburgh folks are staying in time for sunset and a chilled glass of wine!  Perfect!

Friday's adventure is a trip to Westmill tearooms.  To keep the mileage down we drive to Codicote and set off from there.

It doesn't take long for an unscheduled brambling stop to occur.  First Sally veers into the hedgerow as the lure of the ripe blackberries was too much to resist.   I decide that this is a great idea, and shortly afterwards Mary and Jacky join us.

Richard and Stuart are left a little perplexed as to why the cycling has suddenly been abandoned!

On the way to Westmill we pass through the delightful village of Nasty, and can't resist the photo opportunity.

Westmill tearooms are wonderful as ever, home made pork pies in the sunshine, a lovely lazy long lunch....

... and then a gratuitous slice of rose and strawberry cake!

At the end of the day, we return home through the beautiful country lanes, and I'm pretty sure the gang have had a good time!  :-)